ᐅ Floor Plan / Design of a Single-Family House with a Secondary Apartment on the Upper Floor
Created on: 26 Aug 2020 21:38
O
Oimelwutz
Hello everyone,
we are currently focusing more intensively on the topic of building a house.
Therefore, I would like to present our floor plan and thoughts and I am looking forward to your feedback!
Background:
My wife and I currently live with our daughter in my parents’ house. My father lives above us, and we want to continue living in this arrangement. That means we need an apartment for us and one for my father.
Since we will need a barrier-free apartment for ourselves in the short to medium term and an age-appropriate apartment for my father, we considered renovation/conversion.
However, we ruled out renovation and conversion because the current building condition is very poor. We also contacted a local architect about this.
After visiting the house, he (although he normally focuses exclusively on renovation/conversion) came to the same conclusion. In his opinion, renovation/conversion would probably be more expensive than demolition and building new.
So that’s what we did. After several discussions with different companies, we ended up with a local masonry builder. A small company in its second generation with employed masons, where we feel well taken care of.
We already had a desired floor plan in mind and, together with the builder, the attached floor plan was developed. Overall, we are very satisfied with it. Financially, it looks good, and we even have some room for small extras.
About the sketches:
We are currently waiting for the new drawings from the builder.
The ground floor (GF) will be as shown in my sketch below. The upper floor (UF) will be larger, but the room layout will remain the same.
The house will be positioned parallel to the street, with the front door facing the street.
Now I am cautiously looking forward to criticism, questions, and hopefully lots of input from you!
Development plan / restrictions
Plot size 23.5 x 40 m (77 x 131 ft)
Slope no
No development plan
Client requirements
Style, roof shape, building type no special requirements
Basement, floors no basement; upper floor with 1 m (3 ft) knee wall
Number of people, age 4 (31, 34, 2, 62)
Space requirements on GF, UF main apartment completely on GF
Office: family use or home office? family use + guest bed
Overnight guests a few times a year
Open or closed architecture unknown
Conservative or modern construction rather conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island should be a closed room, preferably with a sliding door to keep the option open
Number of dining seats 6
Fireplace no
Music / stereo wall no
Balcony, roof terrace balcony if there is a secondary apartment on the upper floor
Garage, carport double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse no
House design
Who designed the plan? basic idea by us, drawn by the builder
What do you particularly like? Why? basically we are satisfied. We like the “attic space” that can be converted later as needed
What do you not like? Why? bedroom facing the street, we would prefer office/guest room, but we think this does not really fit with the room sizes
Offer from the builder: house 335,000 €; additional features 16,500 €; photovoltaic system 11,000 €; double garage 36,500 €
Walls and ceilings plastered to Q2 finish; tiles included, the rest additional
Personal price limit for the house, including features: 550,000 €
Preferred heating system: heat pump
we are currently focusing more intensively on the topic of building a house.
Therefore, I would like to present our floor plan and thoughts and I am looking forward to your feedback!
Background:
My wife and I currently live with our daughter in my parents’ house. My father lives above us, and we want to continue living in this arrangement. That means we need an apartment for us and one for my father.
Since we will need a barrier-free apartment for ourselves in the short to medium term and an age-appropriate apartment for my father, we considered renovation/conversion.
However, we ruled out renovation and conversion because the current building condition is very poor. We also contacted a local architect about this.
After visiting the house, he (although he normally focuses exclusively on renovation/conversion) came to the same conclusion. In his opinion, renovation/conversion would probably be more expensive than demolition and building new.
So that’s what we did. After several discussions with different companies, we ended up with a local masonry builder. A small company in its second generation with employed masons, where we feel well taken care of.
We already had a desired floor plan in mind and, together with the builder, the attached floor plan was developed. Overall, we are very satisfied with it. Financially, it looks good, and we even have some room for small extras.
About the sketches:
We are currently waiting for the new drawings from the builder.
The ground floor (GF) will be as shown in my sketch below. The upper floor (UF) will be larger, but the room layout will remain the same.
The house will be positioned parallel to the street, with the front door facing the street.
Now I am cautiously looking forward to criticism, questions, and hopefully lots of input from you!
Development plan / restrictions
Plot size 23.5 x 40 m (77 x 131 ft)
Slope no
No development plan
Client requirements
Style, roof shape, building type no special requirements
Basement, floors no basement; upper floor with 1 m (3 ft) knee wall
Number of people, age 4 (31, 34, 2, 62)
Space requirements on GF, UF main apartment completely on GF
Office: family use or home office? family use + guest bed
Overnight guests a few times a year
Open or closed architecture unknown
Conservative or modern construction rather conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island should be a closed room, preferably with a sliding door to keep the option open
Number of dining seats 6
Fireplace no
Music / stereo wall no
Balcony, roof terrace balcony if there is a secondary apartment on the upper floor
Garage, carport double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse no
House design
Who designed the plan? basic idea by us, drawn by the builder
What do you particularly like? Why? basically we are satisfied. We like the “attic space” that can be converted later as needed
What do you not like? Why? bedroom facing the street, we would prefer office/guest room, but we think this does not really fit with the room sizes
Offer from the builder: house 335,000 €; additional features 16,500 €; photovoltaic system 11,000 €; double garage 36,500 €
Walls and ceilings plastered to Q2 finish; tiles included, the rest additional
Personal price limit for the house, including features: 550,000 €
Preferred heating system: heat pump
Oimelwutz schrieb:
So, our primary goal is to first achieve a functional floor plan for the ground floor and then plan the upper floor.
My father is really very modest.Do I really have to repeat the mantra about the gravity of floor planning every week like a rosary? The urgent advice to start with the "second" level generally applies—so also when this level, as in your case, is supposed to be the "lighter" occupant in terms of wishes. However, in your situation, there is a particularity in that the "second" floor is intended to be smaller. This means that if the upper floor is to be a full story, it practically requires placing rooms for shared use or needs of the ground floor residents up there. This is only possible to a limited extent with the utility room (HAR), but works well with the laundry room, storage room, or similar spaces.
Oimelwutz schrieb:
But to be honest:
I assumed the worst and expected that you would bring me back down to earth again and that I would have to abandon the current floor plan.Oh dear, the one time I don’t criticize and it’s mistaken for praise. I’m farther from thinking your latest ground floor plan is good or even just good enough than the Marlboro Man was from sparking a cigarette. I have simply found it, as finally just half a house, objectively not yet suitable for evaluation. The reality is harsh and here, in particular, not for "wimps," as trainer Schmidt would say: I consider the idea of basically just transforming this concept—the status quo (incidentally, I liked the band of the same name back then)—a poorly viable pipe dream. I’m sorry if I confused you by giving you the fundamental question about the most suitable roof type nonetheless. The notion that squaring the circle results in no solution is, of course, an unproven hypothesis; success is not entirely impossible—but a layperson would at least need a fairy who is not an only child for that.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
About the therapy
My father has been receiving occupational and physical therapy at home for over six years – he can manage without a dedicated therapy room.
My friend usually goes to exercise sessions with other people with MS, depending on her condition and her therapies. The car was adapted accordingly.
Regarding the house: I would plan it large enough so that a wheelchair can move everywhere, and adapt the rest as needed. It should be a home that feels comfortable, not a place filled with reminders of what might no longer be possible in the future.
And yes, you do need space. When using crutches, it’s no longer possible to move sideways between a chair and a wall.
Planning for a stairlift is not a mistake; your father isn’t getting any younger.
My father has been receiving occupational and physical therapy at home for over six years – he can manage without a dedicated therapy room.
My friend usually goes to exercise sessions with other people with MS, depending on her condition and her therapies. The car was adapted accordingly.
Regarding the house: I would plan it large enough so that a wheelchair can move everywhere, and adapt the rest as needed. It should be a home that feels comfortable, not a place filled with reminders of what might no longer be possible in the future.
And yes, you do need space. When using crutches, it’s no longer possible to move sideways between a chair and a wall.
Planning for a stairlift is not a mistake; your father isn’t getting any younger.
Hello Oimelwutz,
you could look for a video by SHK-TV on YouTube. The title is “Viega: Height-adjustable Toilet Frame Eco plus.”
There, you can also see the glass panel with the height adjustment for the washbasin very clearly. Various types of washbasins can be attached to it, as long as they don’t get too heavy. It works with a gas spring, similar to a desk chair. I find the system very elegant. You don’t immediately recognize it as a special product but just see a stylish splash guard behind the washbasin. Next to it is a discreet button to adjust the height.
you could look for a video by SHK-TV on YouTube. The title is “Viega: Height-adjustable Toilet Frame Eco plus.”
There, you can also see the glass panel with the height adjustment for the washbasin very clearly. Various types of washbasins can be attached to it, as long as they don’t get too heavy. It works with a gas spring, similar to a desk chair. I find the system very elegant. You don’t immediately recognize it as a special product but just see a stylish splash guard behind the washbasin. Next to it is a discreet button to adjust the height.
O
Oimelwutz30 Sep 2020 08:59Hello @Anitra,
thank you very much for the tip. The items make a good impression and really look great. I noted them down immediately.
Otherwise, not much has happened with us. We are still looking for a suitable partner for our project.
In mid-October, we have another appointment with a different construction company and a building consultant.
Additionally, we will get in touch with two architects this week.
In the meantime, I believe that without an architect, we probably won’t achieve an ideal floor plan. Ideally, I would prefer if they could support us throughout the entire construction period.
I am curious to see how and in what arrangement things will proceed.
thank you very much for the tip. The items make a good impression and really look great. I noted them down immediately.
Otherwise, not much has happened with us. We are still looking for a suitable partner for our project.
In mid-October, we have another appointment with a different construction company and a building consultant.
Additionally, we will get in touch with two architects this week.
In the meantime, I believe that without an architect, we probably won’t achieve an ideal floor plan. Ideally, I would prefer if they could support us throughout the entire construction period.
I am curious to see how and in what arrangement things will proceed.
Oimelwutz schrieb:
By now, I believe that without an architect, we probably won’t be able to create an ideal floor plan. Ideally, I would even like for them to support us throughout the entire construction period.That is exactly the classic role of an architect, and you definitely need one: with a general contractor acting as a mere draftsman, you won’t get any pushback if you add unrealistic items to your wish list (as long as they are permissible and you can and want to pay for them). A good architect is well worth the investment.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Is there an MS group among you?
Maybe someone there can recommend an architect who has supervised a renovation or new build.
Almost everyone manages to build age-friendly or something similar, but it gets trickier when complying with the standards for wheelchair accessibility.
General contractors who are capable include Wir-Leben-Haus and Wolf Haus (Gefäll).
Maybe someone there can recommend an architect who has supervised a renovation or new build.
Almost everyone manages to build age-friendly or something similar, but it gets trickier when complying with the standards for wheelchair accessibility.
General contractors who are capable include Wir-Leben-Haus and Wolf Haus (Gefäll).
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